Paul Schell Hon. AIA

Paul Schell Hon. AIA (1937-2014) helped shape the form and function of communities throughout the Northwest, and has imprinted design education and practice in profound ways.  

Over the last four decades (as of 2002), the career of this urban visionary has spanned our area's most significant public and private design and development activities -- from directing the City of Seattle Department of Community Development to co-founding Cornerstone Development Company (1979-87), to his election to multiple terms on the Port of Seattle Commission and his service as Dean of the UW College of Architecture and Urban Planning (1993-96).   His 1996 AIA Seattle recognition cites his "signal contributions to the profession of architecture," as a "builder of communities and a builder of connections."

In his term as Mayor of Seattle 1998-2002, Paul oversaw the public processes and project commencement for a new City Hall, the Seattle Justice Center, a new downtown library, the renovation of the Seattle Opera House, Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park, plans for redevelopment of Seattle's urban waterfront, and 100 new parks throughout the city.  His reliance on and advocacy for the power of design helped inspire public confidence in key investments in the future of the city. 

Most recently (2002), Paul continues his influential connection with design as a strategic advisor and new business developer at NBBJ, where partner Scott Wyatt FAIA refers to him as "a great urbanist."  Paul continues to bring challenge to design community colleagues as he surveys the significant questions before all of us in the months and years ahead.

AIA Seattle Honorary Membership awarded 1996, AIA national Honorary Member 1996
*"Paul Schell:  A Mayor's Legacy" (2001)
*In this 2013 video, Paul Schell recalls the AIA Seattle 1968 program "Action: Better City."
*HistoryLink:  Paul Schell